ST. GEORGE — A local man accused of breaking into a commercial property last week has been charged with felony theft and burglary, despite the suspect reportedly telling police he was picking up supplies for a job scheduled for the following day.
The arrest stems from a report of a burglary that took place at a business on North Industrial Road during the early morning hours of Friday in St. George, according to charging documents filed with the courts.
The break-in was reported later that same morning. Officers arrived to learn that two suspects entered the building after prying one of the rear doors open, as evidenced by the loosened locks and damage that was visible when patrol arrived.
Once inside, the pair reportedly took multiple tools and then drove away from the property. The incident was captured on security footage that showed a vehicle in front of the business that matched the pickup truck later found parked at a job site.
The driver was identified as 32-year-old Rogelio Garcia-Caballero, who was the only one ever seen driving that particular truck to work, the report stated.
Officers gathered video footage from the area which showed a suspect exit the business and drive off in a Chevrolet Silverado.
Shortly thereafter, the Chevrolet was seen pulling up to the front of a business where the suspect parked next to a trailer. The driver and a second man got out and were seen entering the building. From there, the suspects made multiple trips between the shop and the pickup while loading items into the truck, the report states.
The incident remained under investigation until two days later, when officers were dispatched to the old Kmart shopping center on Sunday shortly after 7 p.m. The suspect was spotted in a vehicle and was taken into custody by police.
During a search prior to transport, the suspect told officers the detainee had a “little bit of cocaine” in his pocket. Officers also found a small plastic baggie containing suspected cocaine under the passenger’s side floorboard during a search of the vehicle.
During an interview, the suspect admitted to entering the building, but explained that he had gotten off of work late and needed supplies for the project he would be working on the following day. He said he took a number of items, including several containers of oil and a concrete cutting blade. In all, the report alleges that an estimated $5,000 in tools and other items were reportedly taken from the business.
When officers inquired further, the suspect said that no one had told him he could enter the building, but said he thought he would “gather the items on his own.” As to the suspected narcotics, the suspect initially denied any knowledge of the cocaine. He later recanted and allegedly told officers he had purchased the substance during a recent visit to Las Vegas.
In all, the report alleges that an estimated $5,000 in tools and other items were taken from the business.
Garcia-Caballero was transported to Purgatory Correctional Facility facing second-degree felony theft and third-degree felony burglary, along with three misdemeanor drug, paraphernalia and alcohol charges. He is being held on $5,000 bail.
The case was filed on Tuesday and a preliminary hearing has been schedule in the case that will take place on Aug. 15 in St. George.
The second suspect was never identified or mentioned further in the affidavit.
This report is based on statements from court records, police or other responders and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
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